Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-03-04
An Old-time Dramatic Family.

A paragraph floating the round OF
newspaper mentionings, announces
the death of J. b. Robinson, an old
time actor on the frontier, who will be
remembered by many on the Pacific
coast Of the present generation. he
made his appearance i'll Portland
sometime in the latter part of thu fif-
ties, accompanied by his family, con-
sisting of a wife, daughter and two
sons, all of whom possessed with the
father fair share of dramatic ability.
The bright peculiar star" was, how
ever, Susan, the daughter. She was a
girl of rare beauty and remarkable tai
ent for the stage. In the bloom of
youth, and the possession of recognized
genius, she became at once an object
of regard off, as we'll as on, the stage,
and an announcement of the appear
ance of the Robinson Family" at
any of the halls on their circuit was
the signal for full house and a rap
turously enthusiastic audience. Thea
tiers were unknown in those days.
The stage was generally an improvised
platform, with few yards of chintz
for DROP" and scenery that could
be folded up and carried within the
small compass of a travelling trunk
The dramas were, likewise, of the
minor sort, such as A." Betsy Baker,
"a Morning CALL" Box and Cox,
The Rough Diamond" and Nature
and Philosophy" in all of which the
leading parts were assumed by Sue
and her father, the remainder of the
family serving only as support to these
at the time, marvellous attractions
Sue possessed, in addition to her Other
gifts, fine voice, and this was brought
into requisition in almost every piece
presented, by the introduction of som.
popular ballad. In looking back t.
the performances of those days, W,
find them wanting in many of the es
sentials of the drama of the present
time, but we doubt if actor or actress
ever achieved a more gratifying sue
cess, or were audiences ever bette
pleased or more enthusiastic in ex
pressing their favor.
The round of the Robinson family
during the Summer season embraced
the settlements in the Willamette val
ley, with Vancouver for the Wintel
season, where small theater wa,
erected at the garrison, principally pa
tronized by the soldiers, who oft-times
became so uproarious under comb
nation of the mystic spell of the tai
ented young artist and the effects o
frequent potations, that they would in
dulge in a general battle in the audi
forum, which would bring down thu
curtain and suspend for time thu
drama on the stage. The profits were
large, however, and this was the mali
object to be attained.
A few years afterwards Sue contract
ed an unfortunate marriage, which lee
to separation from her family, ant
she died at the age of 25, in Nevada
we believe, a victim to late hours ant
fast life. Several years ago j. B
Robinson passed through this place
attached to company of small note
in which he played only the mino
parts. 1t was one of the saddest O
sights to witness the attempts of thi
aged pan to rival the efforts of hi
prime, and to win the plaudits of al
audience whose tastes had changed
almost as much as his ability to please
Penniless, iriendless, deserted by hi
family, he lived only in the past, an.
as advancing years laid their burden
upon him he sank lower and lower un
til finally the curtain fell for the las
time on his eventful if not brillian
life.